“There is hardly such a thing as a war in which it makes no difference who wins. Nearly always one side stands more or less for progress, the other side more or less for reaction.”

George Orwell
George Orwell quotes
  • June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
  • Born in India during the British colonial period
  • Author, journalist
  • Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.

Quote

“There is hardly such a thing as a war in which it makes no difference who wins. Nearly always one side stands more or less for progress, the other side more or less for reaction.”

Explanation

In this quote, George Orwell asserts that most wars are not neutral or morally ambiguous but are shaped by a deeper ideological struggle between progressive and reactionary forces. He suggests that in nearly every conflict, one side is fighting for change, reform, or advancement—what he terms progress—while the other side is attempting to preserve the status quo, resist change, or return to past ways, which he labels as reactionary. Orwell implies that the outcome of such wars is not trivial, because who wins can shape the direction of society, whether toward positive change or a reversion to oppression or stagnation.

Orwell’s perspective on the relationship between war and ideology is influenced by his own experiences in the Spanish Civil War, where he witnessed firsthand the struggle between fascism and democratic socialism. He saw how the war, despite being brutal and complex, ultimately had a clear ideological divide between those who wanted to resist totalitarianism and those who wished to restore or solidify it. Orwell’s engagement with both fascism and communism shaped his understanding of how wars are often fought not just for territory or resources, but for deeper ideological reasons—between those who seek to maintain power and those who want to overthrow oppressive systems.

This idea remains relevant today, especially in discussions about the ideological nature of modern conflicts. Whether in the context of civil wars, international conflicts, or even political struggles, the outcomes often have profound effects on democracy, freedom, and human rights. Orwell’s quote serves as a reminder that while wars may be driven by complex geopolitical factors, there is frequently a fundamental ideological battle at play, with one side fighting for progress and the other for reaction—and that the consequences of these battles can shape the future of nations and peoples for generations.


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